The San Francisco 49ers advanced to the Super Bowl for the sixth time in their illustrious franchise history, but it’s been 18 years since they have had the opportunity to add to their five rings. Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Steve Young were undefeated as starting Super Bowl quarterbacks, and second-year sensation Colin Kaepernick is trying to add his name to that great tradition.

BEHIND THE SCENES

If the attention isn’t on Jim Harbaugh coaching against his brother John, the spotlight will shine on Kaepernick. Those will be the obvious dominant story lines, but scratching beneath the surface there is plenty of good Page 2 material:

They have linebackers, too. The Ravens feature former defensive players of the year Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs, two outspoken veterans. But the Niners are stronger across the board at linebacker, led by Patrick Willis, the inside man inspired so much by Lewis. As good as Willis has been throughout his career, NaVorro Bowman has been better over the past two playoff-bound seasons playing next to Willis. Outside, Aldon Smith has exploded as a premier pass rusher in just two years, and Ahmad Brooks is a playmaking pass defender. Willis, Bowman, Smith and Brooks not only form the heart of San Francisco’s defense, but they also provided the heartbeat of Harbaugh’s entire team.

The gold mine offensive line. Left tackle Joe Staley, as the dean of the front five and Kaepernick’s blindside pass protector, gets the most notoriety. But it’s his fellow first-rounders, left guard Mike Iupati and right tackle Anthony Davis, who have helped give the 49ers’ league the best offensive line. Center Jonathan Goodwin is a sturdy player who once went to the Pro Bowl with the Saints, and right guard Alex Boone has been an undrafted gem. There’s no better left side than the athletic Staley (6-5, 315 pounds) and mauling Iupati (6-5, 331), who both consistently keep Kaepernick clean and spring Frank Gore in the running game.

Justin’s time. Defensive lineman Justin Smith has found his niche as a relentless, powerful upfield player in his hybrid role in the 49ers’ 3-4 base scheme. At 33, he’s taken his place among the league’s elite defenders regardless of position. Through all the lean years he suffered through with the Cincinnati Bengals, he’s persevered to become the most venerable 49er. While the Ravens are rallying around Lewis, San Francisco has the drive to reward Smith’s lunchpail work with a long-awaited ring.

TOP MATCHUP

Colin Kaepernick’s running vs. the Ravens’ defense. The Falcons were so obsessed with Kaepernick not beating them with his legs in the NFC championship game that they were burned by just about everything else in the 49ers’ offense. Whether it’s a designed read-option run out of San Francisco’s pistol formation or him taking off as a scrambler downfield, once the 6-4, 230-pound quarterback gets a burst he’s tough to slow down. The 49ers will hope the Ravens get over-aggressive in trying to get to him in the pocket, and it will create a big opening downfield. They will also look to occupy a safety or linebacker as a spy on Kaepernick, to the point that defender will become a liability in coverage, most likely against tight end Vernon Davis.

It’s up to Kaepernick to make quick decisions, in terms of both knowing when to pitch to Gore and when to tuck and run. The Ravens have plenty of experienced, disciplined defenders, so the goal will be for the young Kaepernick to throw them a little off kilter with his explosive extra dimension.

UNDER THE RADAR

LaMichael James. Gore will handle the bulk of the carries in the running game, but since Kendall Hunter went down for the season, James, a speedy 5-9, 195-pound rookie from Oregon’s up-tempo offense, has taken over the change of pace role. James was inactive for most of the season, so his role is still unpredictable and expanding. That also means he has fresh legs to combat a veteran Ravens defense that has some mileage on it. James scored a quick rushing touchdown to get the Niners on track in Atlanta, and can also be an option in the passing game. When he’s used as a receiver, his size also provides a good alternative to the 6-3, 250-pound Davis.

THREE NUMBERS TO KNOW

28.6. That’s how many points the 49ers have averaged per game in Kaepernick’s nine starts during the regular season and playoffs. Whether it’s Gore or Kaepernick running, or stretching the field with Michael Crabtree and Randy Moss, there have big plays to go with the methodical marching down the field. The Niners found a much-needed red zone groove against Atlanta as well. They need to capitalize on every opportunity to score touchdowns, given David Akers' recent field-goal struggles.

33 percent. The 49ers were tied for second with their third-down defensive stinginess in the regular season. They also gave up the second-fewest first downs per game, 17.8. The Ravens have been executing well in that area, as Joe Flacco and Ray Rice have come up with key conversions on long drives. If Baltimore fails to convert on two thirds of its opportunities, it won’t be able to win in New Orleans.

20 of 38. Aldon Smith produced more than half of the 49ers’ sacks in the regular season. They were able to get to Matt Ryan only once in the NFC championship game. Given how well the Ravens’ offensive line is playing, they need to fight through to get some pressure on Flacco, who can pick apart a defense all over the field when he’s clean and consistently has time to go through his progressions.

POTENTIAL FATAL FLAW

Secondary coverage. The Falcons had no problems targeting the 49ers’ cornerbacks and safeties downfield, namely Tarell Brown and Dashon Goldson. With Carlos Rogers as their top corner and strong safety Donte Whitner more of a run-support player, Brown and Goldson are the natural players to be picked on. The Ravens have a tricky receiving trio in speedy Torrey Smith, strong Anquan Boldin and tight end Dennis Pitta, who has developed into an athletic mismatch. If Atlanta got Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez all going in the same game against the 49ers, Baltimore should be confident it can do the same with its group. The San Francisco defense also will need to deal with another hard-to-cover receiver: Rice out of the backfield.